A
battle to regain lost pride, this is the match which can cool down the nerves
as far as Brazilians are concerned. Having been tipped as the front runners for the trophy, both the teams feel short and now maybe looking for some face
saving before returning home. In a clash that is meaningless to many as the
actual prize is a distant memory, both the teams will be looking for some pride
restored. Netherlands are maybe facing less criticism back home than their
opponents in this clash as the Brazilians were outclassed in one of the most
intriguing fixtures in the World Cup history.

Netherlands:

Having
put the penalty misery aside and the recent storm regarding Van Gaal's comments
that two of the Dutch players refused to take the 1st penalty, the
Dutch squad might be looking to bid farewell to their manager and the senior
players who might not be playing the next World Cup Dirk Kuyt and probably
Wesley Sneijder as the former Liverpool and Real Madrid players respectively
maybe kicking the ball last time in a World Cup history.

‘’Third place match should never be
placed’’ Van Gaal

Having
said that, he also claimed that he wants to remain unbeaten in the tournament
as he claimed Argentina semi-final isn’t a loss since his side was level after
120 minutes of football. Being famous world-wide for his tactics, the next
Manchester United manager will be looking to end on a high.

Netherlands are the most successful
team in World Cup history that hasn’t won it yet. They have reached three
finals winning none.

Brazil:

Shambolic,
disastrous or agonizing, these three words might describe the situation the
whole Brazil team will find themselves when they will face the Dutch side.
After conceding goals in the whole tournament before ultimately facing the grim
reaper in Germany who put 5 beside Brazil in a matter of 20 minutes, confidence
might be the only term the Brazil team might be lacking against a well place
Netherlands side.

Both these teams have met 4 time in
the World Cup history with both of them standing side by side with 2 wins each.

With
reports surrounding media outlet that the coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is to be
sacked after today’s match and the comments offered by the Neymar agent adding
fuel to fire, the former Chelsea manager will be looking to do the same as planned
by his counterpart in Dutch side. However contrary to the future of Van Gaal
which is well and truly in red half of Manchester, the Brazilian’s future is
uncertain following this World Cup. However as his brave and rather naive approach of playing young talent ahead the likes of Lucas Moura and Philippe
Coutinho suggests, the Brazilian manager deserve one last standing ovation from
his players.

After Neymar, Marcello has created
the most number of chances in the Brazilian team indicating the flaws in
midfield.